Joey Barton suspended by Rangers

Joey Barton has been suspended by Scottish club Rangers for three weeks after meeting with manager Mark Warburton today.

The 34-year-old was banished from the club following a row with team-mate Andy Halliday and Warburton in the wake of their 5-1 Scottish Premiership defeat to Celtic on September 10th and the Gers have now announced he will not return to Ibrox or their training centre at Auchenhowie for three weeks.

Barton met with the Rangers boss and board members this morning, with the midfielder saying he could not comment on it as he left Ibrox but, when asked if he was still a Rangers player by a reporter, he responded: “I think so.”

A club statement said: “Joey Barton has today been suspended by the club and will not return to Ibrox or Auchenhowie for a period of three weeks.

The manager, Mark Warburton, and club believe that time and space is required for both the club and the player to assess all that has happened.

“Neither party will make any further statement or comment on this issue.”

The former Manchester City player was absent as Rangers drew 0-0 with Ross County at Ibrox on Saturday.

Barton also missed training on Thursday and posted a lengthy statement on Twitter later that night about the incident.